Kailh Berry vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Berry and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Berry switches are known for their linear feel and hefty typing experience. With a springy type feel and a chalk-like texture, these switches offer a unique typing experience. The sound profile of the Berry switches is fairly deep, giving off a satisfying low-pitched and bassy sound. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches stand out with their captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. These Creamsicle-colored switches provide a rich, bassy, and decadent sound that adds indulgence to your typing. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow switches have a medium-weight, making them suitable for a wide range of users. The unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel, while the combination of very short travel and a long-pole stem ensures a sharper and highly responsive typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Berry and the Everglide Sunset Yellow differ in their housing materials. The Berry features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow has a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both housings offer unique sound characteristics, the Berry's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper sound compared to the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Berry utilizes a nylon material. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic and its ability to absorb more sound. This absorption leads to a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow features a POM bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This material also offers a pleasing and unique sound profile with deeper tones. Although the Berry and the Sunset Yellow have different bottom housings, they share the quality of creating a deeper sound when typing.
When comparing the impact on sound and feel, it is important to consider the individual contributions of both the top and bottom housing materials. The qualities brought by each material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing, whether nylon or POM, plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is fully pressed down. The softer nature of nylon in the Berry and POM in the Sunset Yellow affects the keystroke experience. On the other hand, the top housing, whether polycarbonate or POM, influences the sound produced when the key is released. The choice of top housing material contributes to the overall sound profile of the switch, with the polycarbonate in the Berry delivering a sharper sound compared to the more muted POM of the Sunset Yellow.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, we can see some notable differences. The Berry has an actuation force which is not specified, while the Sunset Yellow has an actuation force of 43 grams. This means that the Sunset Yellow requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Berry.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Berry has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy range. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow has a bottom out force of 51 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. This implies that the Berry provides a more substantial typing experience, requiring a heavier push for those who prefer a more tactile feel, while the Sunset Yellow offers a lighter touch, resulting in a smoother and potentially more comfortable typing experience.
Considering weight, it is worth noting that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role. Individuals who prefer a lighter switch may find the Sunset Yellow more suitable as it requires less force, allowing for longer typing sessions. This makes it ideal for work purposes or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for those seeking a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Berry with its heavier force options would be a better choice.
Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these two switches demonstrate their differences in terms of touch sensitivity and typing experience. The lighter actuation force of the Sunset Yellow offers a lighter touch, while the heavier actuation force of the Berry provides a more tactile and pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style.
Travel distance
The Kailh Berry linear switch offers a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to lean towards switches with shorter travel distances as they offer faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the Sunset Yellow switch may be the preferable option for you. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a deeper key press, then the Berry switch, with its longer travel distance, may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for travel distance and the typing experience you desire.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25, whereas the Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy sound profile. This switch offers a deeper and mellow tone, resembling the richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch also provides a bassy sound profile, similar to the Berry switch. However, it is additionally described as thocky, which means it produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Overall, both switches offer a deep and bassy sound profile, but the Sunset Yellow switch has an additional thocky characteristic, making the typing experience even more indulgent.
When it comes to feel, the Kailh Berry linear switch provides a textured typing experience. This means that there is noticeable friction when pressing the keys, which can be preferred by some users who enjoy a tactile sensation while typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. This switch is described as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. It also offers a frictionless and effortless feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The polished finish of the Sunset Yellow switch ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. Therefore, while the Berry switch offers a textured feel, the Sunset Yellow switch provides a silky and effortless gliding sensation.
Overall, both the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch offer unique qualities. In terms of sound, they both have a bassy profile, but the Sunset Yellow switch has an additional thocky characteristic. Regarding feel, the Berry switch provides a textured experience, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience. Whether you prefer a springy and chalk-like textured typing experience or a smooth and indulgent sensation with captivating sound, both switches can deliver satisfactory results.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are a few factors to consider.
To start, if you prefer a heavier typing experience, the Berry switch with its 70 grams bottom out force would be a better option for you. It offers a springy type feel with a chalk-like texture when typing, providing a unique tactile sensation. Additionally, the Berry switch has a fairly deep sound profile, characterized by a low-pitched and bassy tone.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch, the Sunset Yellow with its 51 grams bottom out force would be more suitable. These switches offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, with a rich, bassy, and decadent sound that adds an indulgent element to typing. The Sunset Yellow switch also features a distinct gliding feel, thanks to the POM stem and proprietary factory lube method, and offers a highly responsive typing experience.
In terms of sound, both switches have a bassy characteristic, but the Berry switch is also described as low-pitched, which provides a mellow tone, while the Sunset Yellow switch is described as thocky, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound during key presses.
When it comes to feel, the Berry switch is described as textured, which means it has noticeable friction when pressed. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, providing a smooth, buttery, and effortless typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch depends on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as typing force, tactile sensation, sound profile, and typing experience to make an informed decision that aligns with your individual needs. Both switches offer unique qualities and can enhance your typing experience in their own ways.
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